What are you willing to pay to keep your home and family safe? Are the offerings of big security companies too expensive for you? Do you wish more cheap options existed? They do exist, and they are much more cost-effective than you may think. This article has some cheap home security tips.
Don’t give your keys to a house cleaner unless you totally trust them. If you plan on giving them the key so that they can work in your home for over an hour, make sure that they’re reputable, hardworking, and honest. All references should be checked. If you hire a cleaner who works for a company, speak with your local BBB about the company’s reliability.
Buy a safe to contain everything of great value. You need this because you would not want burglars to see these valuable items around in your house. Keep the safe hidden in a hard-to-find location like an attic or a basement closet.
Hide your spare key in a place where no one would think to look for it. Hiding it beneath the doormat is very common and most intruders will look there. You should hide it in your dog’s collar.
See what the local police offer when it comes to home protection programs. These programs may include engraving identification codes on your valuables, home inspections, and advice about home security. Call and see what is available.
Have lights that sense motion. They turn on only if someone is nearby. You will receive advance warning of any potential issues, and a would-be intruder will probably be scared off. But keep in mind that the bulbs to the security light should be routinely changed to ensure that the deterrent system functions properly.
Security System
When dealing with a company installing your home security system, it is important that you trust your gut. This is particularly true if you feel uncomfortable with a company you are dealing with. If you simply are not comfortable with a company’s technician, request for another technician or simply hire another company. Your security system is supposed to help you, not cause you more stress.
If you reside in the country, you may be less worried about break-ins than urban dwellers are. Some think residents of the country are even more vulnerable because there are no close neighbors. You need to do some research on the areas where you live to get an idea of how frequent break ins are.
Walls are the perfect place to hide. If you own smaller things that need protection, think about keeping them hidden in the walls. You could use a phone jack, electrical outlet or a switch plate. A security store will sell fake plates you can install anywhere.
Before you let security company representatives into your home, check their ID. You would be surprised how many thieves will impersonate security representatives to get into your house. This means peril for what you own as well as your loved ones. Proceed with caution.
Whenever you sign with a home-security company, it is important that you thoroughly read the contract. There could be fees for terminating the contract early or acquiring additional equipment down the road. Try avoiding these fees when you can so that you know about them.
Having your home lit up and bright at night is a great deterrent to crooks. They want to avoid being seen. When your house is well lit, intruders have no place to hide. This makes it hard for them to get things from you. Thus, you should always keep lights on at nighttime.
Keep safety in mind when doing landscaping. You should not let plants and shrub block your doors and windows. If you have them visible, people can’t hide in those areas while they try to break in. If you want to have a garden around your home, keep trees and shrubs away from your house.
Ask the home security companies to visit your home and design a system tailored to your needs. There are always going to be unique things about your home as well as your specific needs, so make sure you think about these things. A custom set-up will make sure you’re as safe as can be.
Wireless Systems
There are wireless systems available for home security, as another option. While wireless systems are often cheap, the cost of installation can be sky high. Also, you will have a very easy time installing them.
If there are parts of your home you want no one else to enter, there is no need to lock doors or have a set of keys on you at all times. Use a code-access lock for any door you don’t want others opening. You can even install it yourself.
Find out more about the different contracts your security company offers. There are benefits and drawbacks to each. You might pay less each month for longer contracts, but it has its deterrents as well. There’s more freedom with a contract that’s shorter, but the monthly payments may be higher.
Latch Locks
Do not use spring latch locks. These locks are the simplest ones to breach, since they are able to be opened by using just a credit card. An intruder has only to press the card into the doorjamb between latch and the door and the lock will pop open. Add a deadbolt to doors with spring-latch locks.
If you often turn your lights off/on around the same time, consider using a timer. You will not have to expend as much energy taking care of the lights, but you will still be able to make sure your house is illuminated when you want it to be.
Make sure you have the curtains drawn if your windows are faced toward the street. You shouldn’t be inviting people to look at your stuff through the window. Someone who can peer into your home may decide that your valuables are ripe for the taking. Lock everything up and shade your windows to stay discreet.
You cannot have a home security system unless it is affordable to you. While some options might seem rather expensive, there are always cheaper methods as well. The tips that you’ve read can be great alternatives for home security. This will help you set up a great fortification in and around your home.
